Just wanted express my utter satisfaction with this decoder. I usually put Digitrax decoders in my locos but got a good deal on a 4 pack of these NCE. I had a bit of a problem installing one in a P2K E8 that I just bought, but once I got past the 'off colors wiring' that LifeLike used everything worked out. The best part was when I put power to it and it started slowly and smoothly and had more speed than on DC. I didn't even have to make any adjustments to the start and stop setting. This is a very good decoder and I plan to put the others in my other P2K E8 and FA1's. Just wanted to pass this on to those who haven't tried NCE products. For an inexpensive decoder it sure delivers!
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Plus it has 4 light functions. It is my decoder of choice for so-called fleet applications. I have used dozens of them and find them to have been very reliable. The only real criticism I have is that the wire/solder joints are a bit stiff/brittle. Nothing a fine tip soldering iron can't fix, but as long as you are careful with bending wire and don't put strain on the solder joints everything is fine. For the price they are very hard to beat.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
They're even cheaper if you purchase a 10 pack of the D13SRJ decoder with a JST header and harnesses from Empire Northern Models in Webster, New York. Comes out to around $12 per.
I've installed over 30 of these into club members' locomotives and have not had a single failure.
WOW if your this happy with the NCE decoder you should try a TCS or a Lokpilot. My decoder count so far is 42 TCS (not including light only decoders) 6 Loksounds, 3 Lenz, 5 NCE, 7 QSI, 5 Soundtraxx (including the tsunamis), 3 Paragon. 0 Digitrax. I owned 2 Digitrax decoders and both fried on the program track and Digitrax did not want to warranty them.
Like the old commercial said, Try it you'll like it.
Pete
P.S. This does not include the 60 or more decoders I have installed in other peoples locos.
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
locoi1saWOW if your this happy with the NCE decoder you should try a TCS or a Lokpilot. My decoder count so far is 42 TCS (not including light only decoders) 6 Loksounds, 3 Lenz, 5 NCE, 7 QSI, 5 Soundtraxx (including the tsunamis), 3 Paragon. 0 Digitrax. I owned 2 Digitrax decoders and both fried on the program track and Digitrax did not want to warranty them. Like the old commercial said, Try it you'll like it. Pete P.S. This does not include the 60 or more decoders I have installed in other peoples locos.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
locoi1sa WOW if your this happy with the NCE decoder you should try a TCS or a Lokpilot..
WOW if your this happy with the NCE decoder you should try a TCS or a Lokpilot..
Don't get me wrong TCS decoders are great, I have used many of them, but they are quite a bit more expensive. At $12 this NCE decoder does not have BEMF, but it is a darned good 4 function decoder for the money.
Like Randy, I am a die-hard Digitrax command station user, but dislike the Digitrax decoders intensely. Their poor LED support is what does it for me.